BAE Systems has received a military contract to procure 18Â M777 155mm Ultra Lightweight Howitzer gun systems to the U.S. Army.
The M777 is designed to provide soldiers and Marines with tactical and strategic mobility and artillery for operations in hostile environments, the company said Monday.
Joe Senftle, vice president and general manager of weapon systems at BAE, said the M777 Howitzer utilizes long-range precision guided munition, technical insertions and flexible mobility features.
BAE will work with U.S. and U.K. partners to prepare the 18-unit deliveries that would begin in 2021.
The Army and U.S. Marine Corps initially chose the M777 to replace the M198 155mm Towed Howitzer in 1997.
BAE received a contract for full-rate production of 495 M777 units in April 2005.